This meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive members was scheduled to discuss the potential compulsory purchase of a residential property. The report pack included a recommendation to authorise the Strategic Director for Growth and Development to prepare and make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the property. It also detailed the background, key issues, and implications related to the proposed CPO.

Compulsory Purchase of 119 Livesey Branch Road

The council was asked to consider a recommendation to initiate compulsory purchase action for the property at 119 Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, BB2 4LU, as part of the council's Empty Property Strategy¹. The aim of the strategy is to reduce the number of long-term empty properties and provide accommodation for the borough.

The report noted that the property has been empty since December 2021 and is in a poor state of repair. It also stated that the property was raided by police in November 2023 due to its use as a cannabis farm, and that numerous complaints have been received from residents regarding the condition of the property.

The report stated that extensive efforts have been made to contact the owner, but these attempts have been unsuccessful. It was therefore recommended that the Strategic Director for Growth and Development, in conjunction with the Deputy Director for Legal and Governance, be authorised to prepare and make a CPO under section 17 of the Housing Act 1985² and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981³.

The report also recommended authorising the Strategic Director for Growth and Development to negotiate terms for the acquisition by agreement of any outstanding interests in the land, and authorising the Deputy Director for Legal and Governance to confirm the order if the Secretary of State gives the council the power to do so.

The report outlined several reasons for making the CPO, including:

• Promoting the social, environmental, and economic well-being of the area.
• Increasing residents' confidence in the area.
• Creating extra accommodation for sale or rent.
• Reducing negative environmental impacts, such as fly-tipping and crime.

The report noted that there are approximately 2,594 empty properties in the borough, accounting for 4.05% of the total housing stock. It stated that bringing empty properties back into use supports the key priorities in the council's Corporate Plan, Local Plan, and Empty Property Strategy.

The costs associated with the CPO would be funded from the Neighbourhood Intervention Fund, which is part of the council's Housing Capital Programme. Once acquired, the property would be offered for sale via a local estate agent, with preference given to buyers who intend to owner-occupy the property once renovated.